Popular destination for Muslim couples from many countries

NARATHIWAT: In recent years, the provinces in southern Thailand have emerged as ideal destinations for marriage solemnisation ceremonies not only for Malaysians, but also Muslim couples from other countries.

Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council deputy secretary Muhammad Seeqi said citizens from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Indonesia and the Philippines also get hitched in this region.

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He said on average, about four couples tie the knot in each of the Islamic religious councils in Narathiwat, Yala, Satun, Songkhla and Pattani provinces daily.

Muhammad said those who want to get their marriage solemnised here must bring the proper documents to these religious councils.

He said for the brides-to-be, they must equip themselves with identity cards, divorce letters from any previous marriage or death certificates of their husbands and consent from their parents or wali (legal guardian).

“The couples must speak the truth during the interview session as this will ease the nikah process,” he said when met at the council office here recently.

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Muhammad said the cost imposed by authorised marriage agents is between RM1,500 and RM2,500, covering transport and accommodation as well.

He added that in Narathiwat, the cost to get solemnised legally is only about RM500.

On certain agents imposing higher fees for the process, Muhammad said this could be due to their experience in making arrangement for the solemnisation ceremony, transport, and documentation fees.

Muhammad, who has 30 years’ experience handling Islamic marriages, said the religious councils would not solemnise a marriage involving underage girls.

“According to the central Islamic authority in Thailand, girls under 18 are not allowed to be married.

“Those found conducting such a marriage can be prosecuted,” he said.

He also advised Malaysian Muslim couples planning to get married in southern Thailand to get the process done properly so that they won’t have issues upon returning to Malaysia.